“Bridgerton” star Charithra Chandran will headline the cast of “Arzu,” a drama series based on the sexy novel of the same name by Mumbai-based Riva Razdan.
Geetika Lizardi, whose writing credits include “Bridgerton,” “Mira, Royal Detective” and “Outsourced,” is attached to write and will also serve as showrunner. The project comes out of the first-look deal between Fifth Season-backed Blink49 Studios and Canadian entertainer, advocate, and bestselling author Lilly Singh’s Unicorn Island Productions.
“Arzu” follows a brilliant, young heiress who escapes scandal in Mumbai and lands in New York City. But while training to enter into glamorous Manhattan high society, Arzu risks throwing it all away for the adventure of living life on her own terms.
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The series will be executive produced by Singh and Polly Auritt for Unicorn Island Productions, Carolyn Newman and Virginia Rankin for Blink49 Studios, Chandran and Lizardi.
Chandran said: “I’m delighted to be part of a show that is full of glamor, romance and drama that also fearlessly touches on societal issues. It has been a dream working with Blink49 and Unicorn Island Productions as well as being reunited with Geetika on this. Excited for the world to see it”
“’Arzu’ exemplifies the very essence of our initial collaboration with Lilly and Unicorn Island Productions,” said Carolyn Newman, executive VP of global scripted television, Blink49 Studios. “We’re thrilled to welcome Charithra as our lead actress who brings depth and charisma to the project as well as to be working alongside Geetika to adapt this captivating narrative for television.”
Lilly Singh, president of Unicorn Island Productions, added: “’Arzu’ is an inspiring story about a woman who rejects societal norms in favor of her own passions and pursuits. It’s sexy, surprising, and subverts the limited South Asian stereotypes we’ve grown all too accustomed to seeing.”
“I’m thrilled to work with Charithra and Lilly to bring Riva’s smart, sexy and aspirational novel to life,” said Lizardi. “I especially love that Arzu’s journey is so personal to our experiences as South Asian women, and at the same time, a coming-of-age story with universal resonance.”
Lizardi is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment, A3 Artists Agency and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein. Chandran is represented by Gersh, Jonathan Arun Group and Narrative. Lilly Singh is represented by WME and managed by XX Artists.
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